President’s impromptu hospital visit wins praise

Trust Freddy

Herald Correspondent

HEALTH sector stakeholders have lauded President Mnangagwa’s proactive approach, commending his impromptu visit to major public hospitals, which they believe will catalyse improvements in the healthcare system after witnessing firsthand the dire conditions plaguing these facilities.

The latest praise comes after President Mnangagwa, using a private motorcade on Monday, made his way, first to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and then later to Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare, stopping even at traffic lights.

President Mnangagwa received widespread acclaim yesterday, with various organisations and members of the public praising his hands-on approach to addressing challenges and cutting through bureaucratic red tape.

In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) described President Mnangagwa’s hospital visit as a major step towards healthcare reform.

“ZADHR believes that the visit provided President Mnangagwa with an opportunity to appreciate, first-hand, the state of public health services delivery system in Zimbabwe, which is generally plagued by dilapidated infrastructure, shortages of drugs and consumables and demoralised human resources,” reads part of the statement.

ZADHR also implored President Mnangagwa to consider appointing a commission to investigate the entire health sector.

“ZADHR also takes this opportunity to urge President Mnangagwa to institute a Commission of Inquiry on the state of the health sector.

“The Commission of Inquiry should be mandated to inquire into the situation of health service provision by Government and its agencies with a view to ensuring service delivery that responds to the obligations created by the Constitution, which under section 76 guarantees the right to health care. “

In addition, ZADHR proposed that the Commission of Inquiry thoroughly examines Zimbabwe’s health financing mechanisms, assessing challenges, opportunities and progress towards meeting Abuja Declaration commitments.

It also recommended a review of revenue generation and utilisation from health-related taxes, such as the “sugar tax,” and evaluation of public hospital conditions, staffing and medical practitioner remuneration, addressing the “massive exodus” in this critical sector.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Mr Enock Dongo also commended President Mnangagwa for being a “listening” leader, noting that his hospital visit came just days after the association’s statement.

The association had issued a statement, dated June 9, highlighting the healthcare crisis, titled “Hospitals in Ruins, Lives in Danger: The Health Crisis Cannot Be Ignored”.

“So, this visit, it’s really a relief to the health sector, a relief to the nurses, as well as a relief to the client, the patients, the citizens of this country, because as it is, it is a disaster which needs everyone to be on board to address the health delivery system, because it’s a system that affects everyone, regardless of age, sex, or gender,” Mr Dongo said.

“We view the visit of the President as a gesture that is going to unlock and address the challenges that the health sector is facing.

“You know, it really shows that the President is a listening President, because after an outcry from us as health workers representatives, the general public, the President took action and we are looking forward to an improvement in the health sector.”

Mr Dongo also revealed that nurses across the country were pleased that the President had witnessed their daily struggles.

“We were so delighted that he actually came without any notice. He actually visited the different departments without any leadership at the hospital level, with the junior staff. No one was alerted. You know, in our African culture, when a visitor is coming, you prepare.

“So, no one was prepared. So, what the President saw is the reality. It’s the day-to-day lived realities of ordinary Zimbabweans, and day-to-day living of the nurses that are working in those hospitals.”

He said nurses were also looking forward to their remuneration being improved.

“When dealing with a sick patient, healthcare professionals need to be financially, psychologically, mentally and physically well to discharge their duties diligently and improve the healthcare delivery system,” Mr Dongo added.

The President’s visit also sparked widespread excitement on social media, where most people commended him for his authenticity and described him as a leader who truly understands the people.

“This is a welcome development. Thank you for taking this initiative to see the status quo, hope this will yield the much needed revamp of the infrastructure and systems,” a @Tanatswa Taombe , a social media user said.

Another social media user @Taderera Lucky said: “Mr President, your hospital visit shows compassion & wisdom. A great leader understands & relates to everyday struggles of ordinary people.”

Apostle Liberty Atawa, another social media user, heaped praise on the President for his exemplary leadership.

“You are a man with a golden heart, God bless you. I appreciate and the country appreciates your great efforts to build this. I really love your heart Your Excellency sir. I will never look down on your great efforts and great works. God do richly bless you.”